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NBC shuts down AIT, Ray Power over ‘violation of broadcasting code’

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The National Broadcasting Commission, NBC, on Thursday announced that it has suspended the operating license of Daar Communications PLC, operator of AIT and Ray Power.

The Director-General of the commission, Dr Modibbo Kawu, revealed that the decision was taken based on the constant violation of 2004 broadcasting code, after which several warnings were issued to them to be cautious.

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He added that the suspension is effective till further notice, stressing that the decision was devoid of partisan consideration.

According to him, the action was taken for the stations persistent violation of 2004 broadcasting Code, despite persistent warnings to the company to toe the line of caution.

This development comes barely a day after NBC’s strongly worded letter to the media company warning it to cease airing certain contents on its morning show surfaced.

In announcing the ban, Kawu said: “Today the 6th of June, 2019, AIT/Raypower embarked on use of inflammatory, divisive, inciting broadcasts, and media propaganda against the government and, the NBC for performing its statutory functions of regulating the broadcast industry in Nigeria.

“Consequently, after several meetings with management of Daar Communications Plc and many letters of warning. The NBC, today 6th June, 2019 took a decision to suspend the license of Daar Communications Plc for failure to abide by the Commission’s directives, the provisions of the NBC Act Cap N11. The SHUT DOWN order is until further notice.”

“Following monitoring reports and complaints from concerned Nigerians about the broadcast contents of Daar Communications Plc’s AIT/Raypower broadcast stations, the NBC have over the last 2 years summoned on several occasions management of the company to address issues regarding the operations of AIT/Raypower with the company, particularly, Political Platform and Kakaaki aired on AIT,” he said.

“In one of our meetings, held on 2nd June, 2017, the Commission expressed its disappointment with the way and manner Hate Speech, divisive and inciting comments are applied in discussion of national issues in breach of the provisions of the NBC Act and Broadcast Code.

“Again, on 15th August, 2017, it became imperative to invite the company for yet another meeting on almost same issues. Furthermore, while addressing another meeting on 7th February, 2018 we highlighted issues of concern to the Commission which indicated that the company had been breaching the provisions of Sections 3.1.2 and 3.1.3 of the broadcast Code. The company’s delegates in their response promised to abate the breaches and comply with the law.

“However, on October 18, 2018, the Commission was disturbed with the manner in which social media issues became part of the mainstream media unedited on AIT/Raypower, and was constrained to issue a generic letter to all broadcast stations on.”

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